Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites with Dill Cream Cheese
In short: Crisp cucumber rounds topped with dill cream cheese and a rosette of smoked salmon. A light, gluten-free appetizer that takes 30 minutes. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 95 kcal
Cucumber slices stand in for bread here, which keeps the bites light, fresh and gluten-free. A smear of dill cream cheese gives them richness, and a small rosette of smoked salmon on top makes them look like they came from a caterer. They suit baby showers, holiday spreads and afternoon gatherings. Drain the cucumber slices before topping them, and assemble no more than two hours ahead so they stay crisp.
Instructions
- Wash the cucumbers. Peel off alternate strips of skin to make stripes, then cut them into 24 slices about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick.
- Lay the slices on paper towel for 10 minutes to drain, then pat the tops dry.
- Beat the cream cheese with the chopped dill, lemon juice, zest and pepper until smooth.
- Spoon or pipe a rounded teaspoon of the cream cheese onto each cucumber slice.
- Cut the salmon into 24 strips. Fold or roll each strip into a small rosette and set it on the cream cheese.
- Top each bite with a dill sprig and a few capers if you like. Serve right away, or chill for up to 2 hours.
Tips
- Make the cream cheese filling a day ahead and keep the cucumber slices separate. Assemble within 2 hours of serving so the cucumber stays crisp.
- Seeded crackers or small rye rounds make a heartier base than cucumber. Add them at the last minute so they do not soften.
Questions and answers
Is smoked salmon safe to eat without cooking?
Cold-smoked salmon is cured, not cooked. It is fine for most healthy adults, but pregnant women, older adults and people with weak immunity are usually advised to avoid it unless it is cooked until steaming hot.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Prepare the filling and cucumber slices a day ahead and store them separately. Assemble up to 2 hours before serving.
What can I use instead of smoked salmon?
Smoked trout or cooked shrimp work well. For a vegetarian version, use thin radish slices or ribbons of roasted red pepper.
How long does it take to make Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites with Dill Cream Cheese?
About 30 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites with Dill Cream Cheese?
About 95 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 95 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 180 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
